Payola turns everything the other way around.
BY KATRINA C. GUEVARRA
“Has corruption become a value?”
This was a question raised by Guillermo Luz of the Makati Business Club in the book launch of Chay Florentiono-Hofilena’s “News for Sale” back in 1999. It was published in the Philippine Journalism Review by Evelyn Katigbak on the same year.
Funny that was published way back in 1999--but the same question still applies today. In Philippine media, it is through the form of payola given to various radio stations, whether AM or FM and even to print and TV stations as well. “Payola has been around eversince I could remember,” said Gerry Cornejo, a veteran broadcaster and TV host. “It comes in different forms either in cash or in kind. The more well-known or well listened to a broadcaster is, the higher the pay. Some are even given retainers”, he adds. A retainer is periodically given amount or gift to a media practitioner that doesn’t require them to always say good things about a particular subject, but when something bad about them comes up, you are required to defend them. That’s how payola works in AM radio according to Cornejo. “Sometimes, you’ll wonder how they are able to live such a luxurious lifestyle when they are earning the same measly amount as you do.”
Ever wonder why there are songs that get more airtime on the FM radio? Well, chances are, there is something going on under the table of our famous Disc Jockeys on the airwaves. Karen Derya, a DJ of YES FM relates how payola works in the world of FM radio “for example, songs that should have and deserve to be played, are replaced with these songs peddled by record companies that offer bribes.” This goes not only for airtime but for even a mention of a band or artist’s name in their programs as well.
No station is spared from these tempting offers of these companies and individuals –everyone gets a piece of the pie no matter how upscale your station is. “It’s grease money. It’s in our culture.” , said Joseph Javier or more popularly known as Mojo of Magic 89.9 after telling us the story of how he was offered a bribe of 10,000 pesos to mention a brand name on his radio show.
“It is awkward”, that’s how Joseph Javier – Mojo on air— feels when he is offered bribes. Though he is adamant in saying he never once accepted any. He also says he is rarely approached now, since he has established a reputation of not accepting any bribe. How he does it? Since there is no written rule against payola, he relies on the ethics he has learned in school to guide him in dealing with such situations. As Cornejo would like to emphasize, “you just have to rely on your morals and values to guide you through it – it’s a choice between right and wrong.”
According to Derya, grave sanction awaits DJs who are caught accepting payola. It maybe a particular DJ’s last as those who are proven guilty of this maybe fired. On the issue of whether music countdowns of radio stations are rigged in favor of particular artists or songs, Mojo admits that it happens, though not in his own station.
Now, how about those from the other side of the fence? Independent musician and Peryodiko’s vocalist, Vin Dancel, who claims to be a “virgin” when it comes to payola matters, tells us how it is to make your music be heard in this industry, minus the influence of big record companies. “With Twisted Halo before, we went to various FM radio stations in Manila like Nu, Jam and 103.5 to give our record on CDs to the station manager. The same goes when we ask provincial FM stations to play our songs.” The biggest struggle they encountered is logistics. “It’s hard to get into tri-media (TV, print and radio). Not all the radio stations want to play our songs,’ he relates. When it comes to CD distribution, they also encounter problems. “Since there are only limited outlets and some distribution outlets charges a higher cut, we are only able to distribute a limited number of our CDs.”
Dancel is aware of the payola issue though he still hasn’t seen it with his own eyes. He is deeply saddened assuming this has already become a norm. “Under our intellectual property law, the artists should get royalties whenever their songs get played in public –restos, bars, radio stations, etc. –if there is payola, then the opposite is happening. Artists pa kailangan magbayad.”
National Union of Journalists President, Jose Torres, reveals to us that the people who offer payola can range from politicians, record companies and even media practitioners themselves –mostly those who have formed friendships with their colleagues are the ones who have the guts to offer payola. He further reaffirms Cornejo’s prior statements by indicating how much the popular radio and print stations get. For those who are popular, “they really get a large amount, some are even offered government positions”said Torres. For those who are in tabloid, they get 5,000 monthly and those in broadsheets, they get 10,000 monthly as their retainers. “Some even get cars” Cornejo said.
On the much broader issue of conflict of interest concerning endorsements by media personalities, Mojo feels that for people who are entertainers, there is no problem in endorsing a product, and mentioning them in their programs, but when news people – newscasters, in particular – endorse or appear in commercials for certain products he says, “There might be a problem there.”
He would like to reiterate “Greed and vanity are the worst sins.”
SIDEBAR:
Payola – From Rock N’ Roll to Present
BY FRANCO ATTENTO
Payola is the method of giving gifts, commonly in the form of cash, in exchange of airtime, similar to bribing. It came from the contraction of the words “pay” and “Victrola” (an LP record player). Payola first entered the English language via the record business.
Payola originated along with the quiz show scandals of 1959. ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), the world’s largest publishing house, pushed the investigators of the quiz show scandals to start investigate the radio industry. Upon hearing that radio will be investigated, some disc jockeys were fired and forced others to relinquish their interests they had in other fields such as publishing and record companies. WAIT disc jockey Phil Lind was first to make headlines on which a small indie label representative admitted to paying $22,000 of airplay. ASCAP concluded that the popularity of Rock ‘n Roll over “real” music could only mean one thing: Payola. However, the practice of payola was not illegal back then and is a vital tool for it to compete on equal footing.
Payola was not made illegal until 1960, when disc jockey Alan Freed was indicted of it.
Alan Freed was the first disc jockey to be indicted involving payola. He went under the name “Moondog” and was famous because of promoting African-American Rhythm and Blues to the United States and Europe. His career ended when he was accused of accepting payola from record companies to play their records. Payola was made illegal in 1960 and Freed was charged guilty to two charges of commercial bribery. He lost his own show on the radio station WINS and was fired at the same time.
Those with charges of payola are given a fine of $10,000 and one year in prison.
Another personality who was charged of payola was Dick Clark, an American television and radio personality, businessman and a game show host. He was accused and was testified on Congress during 1960, but was not charged of illegal activities. However, he was required by ABC (American Broadcasting Corporation) to divest his publishing and recording interests.
In spite of the laws of banning payola, it really didn’t go away from the music industry. In fact, payola still exists today, although not many companies do it today compared from back in the late 1950s. Mostly, now, it is used as a device for breaking new acts.
Sources:
www.wikipedia.org
www.history-of-rock.com
www.oldies.about.com
Friday, June 20, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
THE WEAVER
A Profile of Toby Fule
We walked inside the hall of PMWA (Philippine Medical Women’s Association) as the smell of paint rushed in to our nostrils. A Summer Art Workshop is held there led by Fernando Sena, who was teaching his students who enrolled for the workshop some techniques in painting. We were amazed by his skills in drawing and his teaching of the art. When we talked with him, he said that a painter must be able to share his abilities to everyone. Through his teachings, he was able to have a few personal students.
Ariston Toribio Fule, or Toby, is one of his apprentices.
Toby is an undergraduate under the course of architecture. Since he wasn’t able to finish his course, he just stayed home, and when he felt like he had nothing to do, he decided to just paint. It eventually became a hobby to him. He’s been painting now for two years.
“Di ko tinapos ang architecture. Wala akong magawa kaya nagpaint nalang ako” (I didn’t finish architecture. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to paint), he said.
Toby Fule said that his inspirations for his subjects are anything that he wants to draw. His personal favorite subjects are still-life and ethnic weaves. He also said that his best works are his ethnic weave paintings displayed in their art exhibit at the IPO Building in Paseo de Roxas.
He had two ethnic weave paintings. “Weaves Patterns”, which shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in a rattan mat, and “Weaves #2”, which also shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in bamboo. His use of colors and lines are so detailed that it made the rattan mat and bamboo look real, and made the weaves looked like “woven through paint”.
His other paintings are “Still Life 2”, which shows boxes and baskets of fruits, corn, and lobsters, “Crabs”, which shows an unwrapped wrapper of the said crustaceans, and “Walang Benta”, which shows a worried-looking girl holding a covered basket of her merchandise. “Still Life 2” and “Crabs” has a good mixture of colors that lets you touch the subject by just looking at it. “Walang Benta” used simple strokes in painting the girl, and it also used a simple colored background but it clearly reveals the mood of the subject.
Fule said that his favorite artists are Frida Kahlo because of her very commanding and striking subjects, and Araceli Dans for the flow of his cloth subjects.
He said that the things that pleases him in being a painter is when he was able to meet other artists, to ask them for a few pointers, and when someone sees and appreciates his works. He shows his appreciation for art by attending on art exhibits and going to museums. The bad thing of being an artist for him is that it takes a toll out of his pockets since the materials that he uses are quite expensive.
“A good artist is someone who shares his feelings through his paintings”. That is Fule’s definition of a good artist.
I asked him if he has some advice for those who are aspiring to become an artist. His advice was just simple: “Practice lang nang practice. Huwag ka ma-discourage pag may di nakaka-appreciate sa work mo.” (Keep on practicing. Don’t get discouraged if somebody doesn’t appreciate your work).
We walked inside the hall of PMWA (Philippine Medical Women’s Association) as the smell of paint rushed in to our nostrils. A Summer Art Workshop is held there led by Fernando Sena, who was teaching his students who enrolled for the workshop some techniques in painting. We were amazed by his skills in drawing and his teaching of the art. When we talked with him, he said that a painter must be able to share his abilities to everyone. Through his teachings, he was able to have a few personal students.
Ariston Toribio Fule, or Toby, is one of his apprentices.
Toby is an undergraduate under the course of architecture. Since he wasn’t able to finish his course, he just stayed home, and when he felt like he had nothing to do, he decided to just paint. It eventually became a hobby to him. He’s been painting now for two years.
“Di ko tinapos ang architecture. Wala akong magawa kaya nagpaint nalang ako” (I didn’t finish architecture. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to paint), he said.
Toby Fule said that his inspirations for his subjects are anything that he wants to draw. His personal favorite subjects are still-life and ethnic weaves. He also said that his best works are his ethnic weave paintings displayed in their art exhibit at the IPO Building in Paseo de Roxas.
He had two ethnic weave paintings. “Weaves Patterns”, which shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in a rattan mat, and “Weaves #2”, which also shows an ethnic weaved cloth laid in bamboo. His use of colors and lines are so detailed that it made the rattan mat and bamboo look real, and made the weaves looked like “woven through paint”.
His other paintings are “Still Life 2”, which shows boxes and baskets of fruits, corn, and lobsters, “Crabs”, which shows an unwrapped wrapper of the said crustaceans, and “Walang Benta”, which shows a worried-looking girl holding a covered basket of her merchandise. “Still Life 2” and “Crabs” has a good mixture of colors that lets you touch the subject by just looking at it. “Walang Benta” used simple strokes in painting the girl, and it also used a simple colored background but it clearly reveals the mood of the subject.
Fule said that his favorite artists are Frida Kahlo because of her very commanding and striking subjects, and Araceli Dans for the flow of his cloth subjects.
He said that the things that pleases him in being a painter is when he was able to meet other artists, to ask them for a few pointers, and when someone sees and appreciates his works. He shows his appreciation for art by attending on art exhibits and going to museums. The bad thing of being an artist for him is that it takes a toll out of his pockets since the materials that he uses are quite expensive.
“A good artist is someone who shares his feelings through his paintings”. That is Fule’s definition of a good artist.
I asked him if he has some advice for those who are aspiring to become an artist. His advice was just simple: “Practice lang nang practice. Huwag ka ma-discourage pag may di nakaka-appreciate sa work mo.” (Keep on practicing. Don’t get discouraged if somebody doesn’t appreciate your work).
ETIQUETTE OF A GENTLEMAN
Ladies first and give priority to women, young or old, the code of a gentleman.
Back in ancient times, only men were given the priority. They have the right to study and govern, and as for women, they only have to stay home and do chores. But as time goes, women began to rise and today became equal to men. They can now study and rule a society, not just stay at home. Men began to respect the gender that was once cloaked in their four-walled homes.
When a man sees a lady standing in a bus, he offers his seat so that the woman could have a comfortable ride. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
When there is a long line and an old person is behind the guy, he would stand back and let the lady go on first. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
Is this how we a measure a gentleman? Wikipedia defined it as a means of treating others, especially women, in a respectful manner, and not taking advantage or pushing others into doing things they choose not to do.
Back in the past, being a gentleman is an appropriate manner for men and being gentlemanly is a noble act.
Today, when we look around, there are very few remaining gentleman among us. One of the main reasons could be that most of men don’t know how to be one.
AskMen.com cited some etiquette that men should observe: Always be polite, do not curse, do not speak loudly, do not lose your temper, do not stare, do not interrupt, do not spit, respect your elders, do not laugh at others’ mistakes, always open doors for ladies, give up or help with her seat and ask if she needs anything.
I’m not saying that we should be slaves or anything, but we should always remember that giving respect is a good way of gaining respect from others.
Back in ancient times, only men were given the priority. They have the right to study and govern, and as for women, they only have to stay home and do chores. But as time goes, women began to rise and today became equal to men. They can now study and rule a society, not just stay at home. Men began to respect the gender that was once cloaked in their four-walled homes.
When a man sees a lady standing in a bus, he offers his seat so that the woman could have a comfortable ride. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
When there is a long line and an old person is behind the guy, he would stand back and let the lady go on first. Then people around would be thinking: “What a gentleman he is.”
Is this how we a measure a gentleman? Wikipedia defined it as a means of treating others, especially women, in a respectful manner, and not taking advantage or pushing others into doing things they choose not to do.
Back in the past, being a gentleman is an appropriate manner for men and being gentlemanly is a noble act.
Today, when we look around, there are very few remaining gentleman among us. One of the main reasons could be that most of men don’t know how to be one.
AskMen.com cited some etiquette that men should observe: Always be polite, do not curse, do not speak loudly, do not lose your temper, do not stare, do not interrupt, do not spit, respect your elders, do not laugh at others’ mistakes, always open doors for ladies, give up or help with her seat and ask if she needs anything.
I’m not saying that we should be slaves or anything, but we should always remember that giving respect is a good way of gaining respect from others.
THE FOURTH NEED
A student’s point of view on safe sex
Aside from food, shelter, and clothing, sex has been one of the necessities for man to survive. Ever since God created man, He gave instructions to go forth and bear children. Then Adam and Eve had children then those children had children of their own until throughout the course of history they were able to bear a plethora of people that were spread across the world. The more the people, the more discoveries were made that made humankind prosper. All thanks to sex.
Mankind began to embrace sex as a need and a want. Man loved sex so much that they gave it styles like a martial art. If martial arts have karate, judo, and tae kwon do, sex were also given styles, like the 69, wheelbarrow, and 90 degrees. If sex is a need then it’s fine to do it as long as you do it in the right place, the right time and you play it safe right?
But is there really such a thing as a safe sex in the aspect of social and health issues? If you ask me, sex could be your ticket to a one way trip to pleasure and disaster.
Sure, sex is of course needed. It is a way for mankind to survive and it is an effective way to show affection and I can’t argue with that. But there are also downfalls on this need.
If a couple had sex and the woman is expected to have a baby, then they just contributed to one of the biggest crisis today: Population explosion. They just had sex and the population is no longer safe. Not to mention most of the couples who do their thing every year that could make the population on their home as high as ten people.
Some people have nothing to think of something that would make them money, so they took advantage of the lust of humans. They made sex a business and it gave birth to prostitution. Some may say “Business is booming! Maybe I could play at the stock market with this!” It’s ridiculous, but what’s more ridiculous is using women to have sex with men they barely even know. Not a safe sex for our pretty ladies.
What could be worse is sex could be a source of murder. If someone just had sex on the spot with another, and sometime later the lady approached the guy and say “You jerk! I’m pregnant!”, they may abort the child because they don’t want their reputation to be ruined, or they just don’t seem to care. So now having sex is not safe for babies about to be made.
Sex is also the source of some of the deadliest diseases that set foot on earth: AIDS (Acute Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). To prevent this, man created birth control items, particularly the condom, a man’s “viper” wrapper. It became so popular that they put flavors on it like ice cream. I don’t know why, but if you ask me, it’s pretty stupid. But some may not consider wearing condoms safe. Kids may mistake it for a party balloon and play with it and ruin its quality, or the condom may have a defect and could be nothing more than a waste of money, or the guy just don’t know how to wear it properly.
One important thing to keep in mind is family. Having one child is enough to be a one big, happy family, so it would be best not to make it a yearly ritual.
Aside from food, shelter, and clothing, sex has been one of the necessities for man to survive. Ever since God created man, He gave instructions to go forth and bear children. Then Adam and Eve had children then those children had children of their own until throughout the course of history they were able to bear a plethora of people that were spread across the world. The more the people, the more discoveries were made that made humankind prosper. All thanks to sex.
Mankind began to embrace sex as a need and a want. Man loved sex so much that they gave it styles like a martial art. If martial arts have karate, judo, and tae kwon do, sex were also given styles, like the 69, wheelbarrow, and 90 degrees. If sex is a need then it’s fine to do it as long as you do it in the right place, the right time and you play it safe right?
But is there really such a thing as a safe sex in the aspect of social and health issues? If you ask me, sex could be your ticket to a one way trip to pleasure and disaster.
Sure, sex is of course needed. It is a way for mankind to survive and it is an effective way to show affection and I can’t argue with that. But there are also downfalls on this need.
If a couple had sex and the woman is expected to have a baby, then they just contributed to one of the biggest crisis today: Population explosion. They just had sex and the population is no longer safe. Not to mention most of the couples who do their thing every year that could make the population on their home as high as ten people.
Some people have nothing to think of something that would make them money, so they took advantage of the lust of humans. They made sex a business and it gave birth to prostitution. Some may say “Business is booming! Maybe I could play at the stock market with this!” It’s ridiculous, but what’s more ridiculous is using women to have sex with men they barely even know. Not a safe sex for our pretty ladies.
What could be worse is sex could be a source of murder. If someone just had sex on the spot with another, and sometime later the lady approached the guy and say “You jerk! I’m pregnant!”, they may abort the child because they don’t want their reputation to be ruined, or they just don’t seem to care. So now having sex is not safe for babies about to be made.
Sex is also the source of some of the deadliest diseases that set foot on earth: AIDS (Acute Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). To prevent this, man created birth control items, particularly the condom, a man’s “viper” wrapper. It became so popular that they put flavors on it like ice cream. I don’t know why, but if you ask me, it’s pretty stupid. But some may not consider wearing condoms safe. Kids may mistake it for a party balloon and play with it and ruin its quality, or the condom may have a defect and could be nothing more than a waste of money, or the guy just don’t know how to wear it properly.
One important thing to keep in mind is family. Having one child is enough to be a one big, happy family, so it would be best not to make it a yearly ritual.
A FAMOUS MAN’S TEAR OVER A PRISONER
A movie review on "Capote"
November 15, 1959
Two men broke in a quiet farm house in Kansas and murdered an entire family of four. A well-renowned American author became interested on this case and decided to write a novel about it. In the process, he befriended the two criminals who are suspects of the crime and by order of the court, are sentenced to death. In the end, the author found himself changed because of a relationship between men behind bars and an author found at the summit of stardom.
Academy award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the role of author Truman Capote in the film “Capote”, directed by Bennett Miller. Based on a true story, it was given many positive feedbacks by critics across America.
The setting of the film is on the early 1960s. The movie was able to establish many elements that can traverse the viewer on this time. The costumes of the actors and the actresses, the houses, the prisons, and even some of the items such as the telephones and vehicles, the viewer can tell that the setting of the film is in the past just by looking at these elements because of their 60’s appearance.
The acting of the characters is good, especially that of Hoffman’s. Truman Capote is a gay author and he was able to pull that off by his gestures and the way he talks. The viewer can easily say that he is gay because of his fascinating actions.
There is not much camera movements on the film and it’s purely camera switching. There are also very few music in it and the music in the beginning of the film is what the viewer would usually hear all throughout the movie. It’s also pure talk and without a subtitle or a sharp ear, the viewer would find it hard to understand what is going on with the story.
The plot, however, is good. A relationship between a famous author and a prisoner is very unique and is not seen or heard everyday, and to understand the side of a man behind bars can get touching.
Some people say that the only permanent thing around is change. For Truman Capote, change could come to you from different directions. It would be very nice to shed a tear to someone whom you thought doesn’t deserve it.
“More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.”
-Truman Capote
November 15, 1959
Two men broke in a quiet farm house in Kansas and murdered an entire family of four. A well-renowned American author became interested on this case and decided to write a novel about it. In the process, he befriended the two criminals who are suspects of the crime and by order of the court, are sentenced to death. In the end, the author found himself changed because of a relationship between men behind bars and an author found at the summit of stardom.
Academy award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the role of author Truman Capote in the film “Capote”, directed by Bennett Miller. Based on a true story, it was given many positive feedbacks by critics across America.
The setting of the film is on the early 1960s. The movie was able to establish many elements that can traverse the viewer on this time. The costumes of the actors and the actresses, the houses, the prisons, and even some of the items such as the telephones and vehicles, the viewer can tell that the setting of the film is in the past just by looking at these elements because of their 60’s appearance.
The acting of the characters is good, especially that of Hoffman’s. Truman Capote is a gay author and he was able to pull that off by his gestures and the way he talks. The viewer can easily say that he is gay because of his fascinating actions.
There is not much camera movements on the film and it’s purely camera switching. There are also very few music in it and the music in the beginning of the film is what the viewer would usually hear all throughout the movie. It’s also pure talk and without a subtitle or a sharp ear, the viewer would find it hard to understand what is going on with the story.
The plot, however, is good. A relationship between a famous author and a prisoner is very unique and is not seen or heard everyday, and to understand the side of a man behind bars can get touching.
Some people say that the only permanent thing around is change. For Truman Capote, change could come to you from different directions. It would be very nice to shed a tear to someone whom you thought doesn’t deserve it.
“More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.”
-Truman Capote
Monday, May 5, 2008
IT BEGINS... AGAIN
A Book Review on Black Lightning
“Today won’t end it. How will you feel, Anne? When I’m dead, and it all starts again, how will you feel?”
A few hours before his execution, Richard Kraven said those words to Anne Jeffers, a Seattle journalist who followed his story and presented evidences through her articles that made him guilty of murdering people. Within days after Kraven’s execution, the city is once again stunned by murders, in which the method was similar to Kraven’s: The victims’ chest was torn open, the organs were out from where they should be.
How could this happen? Kraven is dead. Anne herself witnessed on how he died by a surge of electricity that ran through his body in an electric chair.
That was one of the questions that would leave the mind of the reader of Black Lightning. Black Lightning is a mystery novel written by author John Saul, who also wrote Guardian and The Homing.
The novel leaves a mystery on the reader’s mind. As the reader flips the pages of the book, it cannot be avoided to ask on how could it happen or who is the killer.
The style of the author is that the focus is not always on the main protagonist, Anne Jeffers, on all chapters, but he focuses some of the chapters on other characters. Some of the chapters are focused on the mystery killer himself, and narrates on what he was doing, but still leaving his identity hanging until the novel reveals it at the almost end of the book.
The characters’ appearance and activities, the setting, and the things around are well described by the author. Everything was detailed from the positioning of the items to the movements of the characters. He even included a detailed view on what the character was thinking in that short time span, such as the movie that came into Anne’s mind before Kraven’s execution.
This novel, however, is not suitable for very young readers. The book contains details that are not for the young mind such as how the killer murders his victims, and even sex.
It ends, and it begins again. How would you feel when someone you thought dead has returned? What’s worse, he may have returned for a reason: He would come for you.
“Today won’t end it. How will you feel, Anne? When I’m dead, and it all starts again, how will you feel?”
A few hours before his execution, Richard Kraven said those words to Anne Jeffers, a Seattle journalist who followed his story and presented evidences through her articles that made him guilty of murdering people. Within days after Kraven’s execution, the city is once again stunned by murders, in which the method was similar to Kraven’s: The victims’ chest was torn open, the organs were out from where they should be.
How could this happen? Kraven is dead. Anne herself witnessed on how he died by a surge of electricity that ran through his body in an electric chair.
That was one of the questions that would leave the mind of the reader of Black Lightning. Black Lightning is a mystery novel written by author John Saul, who also wrote Guardian and The Homing.
The novel leaves a mystery on the reader’s mind. As the reader flips the pages of the book, it cannot be avoided to ask on how could it happen or who is the killer.
The style of the author is that the focus is not always on the main protagonist, Anne Jeffers, on all chapters, but he focuses some of the chapters on other characters. Some of the chapters are focused on the mystery killer himself, and narrates on what he was doing, but still leaving his identity hanging until the novel reveals it at the almost end of the book.
The characters’ appearance and activities, the setting, and the things around are well described by the author. Everything was detailed from the positioning of the items to the movements of the characters. He even included a detailed view on what the character was thinking in that short time span, such as the movie that came into Anne’s mind before Kraven’s execution.
This novel, however, is not suitable for very young readers. The book contains details that are not for the young mind such as how the killer murders his victims, and even sex.
It ends, and it begins again. How would you feel when someone you thought dead has returned? What’s worse, he may have returned for a reason: He would come for you.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
BAND PROFILE: SINOSIKAT
Their music is pinoy na pinoy. The sounds they make are suited for the ears of Filipino listeners. Sinosikat's members Kat and Nick tells us about them and their music in an interview with the Manila Times.
The name "Sinosikat" is derived from two phrases with different meanings: Sino Sikat or "Who's Famous" and Sino si Kat which means "Who is Kat". They have been making music for four years and they are still on the move today.
The music of the band is not a disco punk; it's a little bit of everything. They have a wide genre of music which includes funk, rock, jazz, and reggae. The band doesn't follow trends and they play with their strengths. Kat and Nick also said that their music is pangmatagalan or long-lasting, which means that their songs will long last to the minds of its listeners. Nick said that the music we listen is also the music they listen to.
Sinosikat writes their own songs, and they also said that the songs they write are not dedicated to someone. Most of the themes of their songs are based on what happened in their lives. They also said that in songwriting, you have to satisfy yourself before you can satisfy others.
They also said that they have fans abroad. They would go overseas to spread Filipino music, Sinosikat style.
The two admitted that forming a band is hard work. It's not easy to earn money and they also have sleepless nights. Up until now the bond of their band is still strong. Nick and Kat said that a strong bond between band members is necessary.
To those who wish to form a band, Kat and Nick have a few reminders to them, and those are to inspire, do not copy the style of others, and enjoy life in a good way.
Expect something fresh. Expect something original. Those are some of the promises of Sinosikat to its listeners.
"A good idea is worth fighting for, and Sinosikat is a good idea", said Nick.
For more information on Sinosikat, log on to Sinosikat@yahoogroups.com.
Monday, March 17, 2008
ASSIGNMENT - WHAT IS FEATURE WRITING?
Feature writing is writing an article in a newspaper, a magazine, or a news website that is not meant to report breaking news, but to take an in-depth look at a subject. While there are no precise guidelines on the differentiation between features and news stories, features are often significantly longer than news articles, are more likely to be written from a personal perspective, and unlike news stories do not always deal with the events of the immediate past.
Features are written in a less urgent fashion than news stories, sometimes taking several paragraphs to arrive at the main story while trying to engage the reader and keep them reading by employing narrative hooks. Feature stories often delve deeper into their subjects, expanding on the details rather than trying to concentrate on a few important key points. The writing style of the articles can be more colorful and employ a more complex narrative structure, sometimes resembling the style of a nonfiction book more than a news report.
reference: http://www.wikipedia.org
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
ASSIGNMENT - RAISING THE DEAD
1. What captivates you about the story? How does he paint a picture for the reader? Cite the passages that are most compelling for you.
What captivated me the most in this article is that it is a mystery story. As the story continues to flow, curiosity builds in the mind of the reader making him/her want to read more. He paints a picture for the reader by stating lots of details such as the people, the scene, the venue, and the things that are happening.
The passage that was most compelling to me was this:
“As Riddle kicked through the leaves and brush, his foot caught on something solid. It was a green burlap sack, the kind carnies use for carrying big-top tents, tied with a tan cord. Inside was a woman’s body. She was naked except for a shred of cloth diaper draped over her shoulder. Her eyes had rotted away. She had three broken fingernails – part of a futile attempt, apparently, to claw out of her shroud.”
This was most compelling because through this accident marked the beginning of the investigation.
2. Who is the target audience for this publication? How does the story relate to them? Does the story appeal to other demographic groups as well, and if so, why?
The target is those who are interested in mystery solving. The story fits well in the likes and interest of the target audience since it involves mystery and investigations. This is also a good article for detectives and investigators so that they would get an idea on how to better their investigations.
3. What "rules" did the writer break?
The author wasn’t able to connect the beginning to the end.
4. How does the writer end the story? Why is it effective?
The author ended his work by leaving something that would make Matthews be remembered as someone who has solved the case of the “Tent Girl”. It was also effective because the author also left a good impression on Matthews by saying that he (Matthews) wasn’t able to do something for his dead family members, but at least to the “Tent Girl, he was able to do something. That would make the reader remember Matthews.
What captivated me the most in this article is that it is a mystery story. As the story continues to flow, curiosity builds in the mind of the reader making him/her want to read more. He paints a picture for the reader by stating lots of details such as the people, the scene, the venue, and the things that are happening.
The passage that was most compelling to me was this:
“As Riddle kicked through the leaves and brush, his foot caught on something solid. It was a green burlap sack, the kind carnies use for carrying big-top tents, tied with a tan cord. Inside was a woman’s body. She was naked except for a shred of cloth diaper draped over her shoulder. Her eyes had rotted away. She had three broken fingernails – part of a futile attempt, apparently, to claw out of her shroud.”
This was most compelling because through this accident marked the beginning of the investigation.
2. Who is the target audience for this publication? How does the story relate to them? Does the story appeal to other demographic groups as well, and if so, why?
The target is those who are interested in mystery solving. The story fits well in the likes and interest of the target audience since it involves mystery and investigations. This is also a good article for detectives and investigators so that they would get an idea on how to better their investigations.
3. What "rules" did the writer break?
The author wasn’t able to connect the beginning to the end.
4. How does the writer end the story? Why is it effective?
The author ended his work by leaving something that would make Matthews be remembered as someone who has solved the case of the “Tent Girl”. It was also effective because the author also left a good impression on Matthews by saying that he (Matthews) wasn’t able to do something for his dead family members, but at least to the “Tent Girl, he was able to do something. That would make the reader remember Matthews.
Monday, March 3, 2008
ASSIGNMENT - BATTLE COMPANY IS OUT THERE
- Does the writer hold your attention through a long article? If she does, how did she do it? If not, why?
No. It’s too long that I don’t understand it much. Not suitable for readers who can’t stand reading very long articles, like myself.
- Quote the most vivid and vigorous sentences in this feature.
“They hated me.” The insurgents were testing the new captain, he suspected, by deliberately shooting from homes.
The soldiers don’t hesitate to call in Big Daddy (who, in today’s military, often flies in with the voice of a female pilot). But while these flying war machines are saviors to the soldiers, they cannot distinguish between insurgents and civilians.
- Write this feature as straight news, 100 words maximum.
Note: To be quite frank, I really don’t know much about this article…
ASSIGNMENT - TRAGEDY OF BRITNEY SPEARS
- How does this article differ from the usual celebrity and gossip features? Does this article elevate itself from the typical celebrity and gossip feature?
This article is not just straight news like usual celebrity articles. The article showed the background of Britney herself and also her mother, Lynne. It also has lots of quotes and it traced Britney’s early years, her rise to fame, her decline to self-destruction.
- How does the writer hold the reader's interest about a subject matter that is over exposed?
The article contained a lot of shocking contents (such as Britney losing her virginity at fourteen) which will eventually build up the interest of the reader. It also contained some slang quotes which could bring humor.
- How does the writer appeal to readers who are not admirers or sympathizers of this celebrity?
The writer showed a background of the celebrity to trace her rise and fall, and probably for the sake of those who don’t know her much. This would also interest the non-admirer reader because it’s too unusual for a superstar who was so high and loved by money to turn into someone that most people would probably laugh at or hate.
- What voice does the writer use and does it work for the magazine's target audience?
The writer used a voice that would fit the mood of the story. Probably a voice that was a little humorous and it works since I was laughing when I was reading this.
THE SCHOOL RUN BY A PAPER (revised)
Insights by a student of the school itself
By Franco Attento
Most colleges and universities in thePhilippines
By Franco Attento
Most colleges and universities in the
WHY I HAVE MY EYES GLUED ON ARTICLES (revised)
By Franco Attento
I read articles for three reasons. I want to know what will happen next; I found it interesting, and just for fun.
Friday, February 22, 2008
SAMPLE EXCELLENT FEATURE - MUSIC: UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE AND HEALER
By: Eleanor E. Yu (Panorama)
Nothing beats music as a universal language. Music knows no boundaries and is an integral part of man’s culture and higher sensibilities. Music, being timeless in nature, bridges the past and the present, the body and the spirit, the old and the young, the masculine and the feminine, the rich and the poor, the world and the heavens. Because of this almost magical quality of music, it has been used as a healing instrument by people in all places since time immemorial.
Chinese Music Therapy
In China, traditional music therapy is adopting itself to modern diseases and disorders. Albums entitled Obesity, Constipation, Insomnia, Relaxation, Stress, and Liver Heart make use of traditional Chinese instruments and are selling briskly in the market. A growing number of medical doctors are now integrating music in treating their patients to the great benefit of the latter because music offers a non-invasive treatment, which may even be more effective than drugs. Kung Tai, a young man who practices music therapy, combines rhythm and qi gong exercise movements and lyric writing. Meanwhile, in Japan, there are several compilations of classical and romantic music with prescriptive suggestions. For insomnia, you can try Debussy’s “Ondine”, or Bach’s “Goldberg”; for headaches and migraines, Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song” is perfect. There is a piece for every malady.
Indian Healing Music
Across the Himalayas, India has a long tradition of merging music and medicine. This tradition is as old as the Vedas and the Upanishads, the sacred literature of India extending back thousands of years. In Native American, sacred music songs are believed to be a gift of the gods. Through the ages, distinctive genres and schools have evolved, among them the ragas of the Alvars in the Tamil language of South India. A raga is a traditional composition of religious music with improvised tonal progressions, rhythmic patterns, and melodic formulas. Unlike most western music in which the notes are distinct, the tones in ragas and most other Indian music tend to blend together, creating a soothing, unifying sound. Traditional music is used in hospitals, universities, and healing centers throughout India. In Madras, the Raga Research Center has assembled an interdisciplinary team of doctors, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and musicians who experiment with different ragas for use in music therapy. They have found two particular ragas effective in treating hypertension and mental illness.
An Argentinean Muse
South Americans are particularly adaptable and in touch with their creative nature. Because of their intense struggle to survive, the families are closely knit and participate more frequently in musical and artistic activities than families in wealthier, northern regions. Music has helped people here cope with hunger, homelessness, and other features of modern urban life.
The Power of African-American Music
Traditional African music was dominated by the ring, a circle around which people moved and sang, danced and shouted joyfully to the accompaniment of rhythmic drumming. For Africans, song and dance was religious affirmation; they were urgently compelled to perform music and dance as a means of keeping in contact with their ancestors in order to retain the power of self-definition or perish. For African-Americans, the spiritual was the musical vehicle within the ring for this affirmation and unity, for these songs were masterful repositories of African cultural spirit and through the shout and its developments; they proved central to the maintenance and perpetuation of African cultural values. In Africa, drumming is a high form of art. Black folk songs, love songs, children’s songs, hymns, and other music were spread by “music doctors”, escaped slaves who fled north with only a fiddle on their backs and who served as the bards, journalists, historians, humorists, and chroniclers or the early African experience in America. Although the circle dance eventually gave way to couple and solo dance, elements of traditional musical forms, and their healing rhythms remained.
The Music Lover in Every Filipino
Filipinos are among the world’s greatest music lovers and genius. From the indigenous people to the present generation, music has been an integral part of life. For this naturally romantic race, “The world will be a lonely place without music”. The aboriginal people use music and chants when they hold rituals to communicate with their gods. In the urban areas, music is used for church worship, entertainment, and relaxation. In the celebration of important occasions in the life of every Filipino, music can be heard. It is through music that Filipinos are able to express their fears, joys, and aspirations in life.
How Does Music Affect Us?
Music masks unpleasant sounds and feelings
A visit to the dentist may cause you to feel uneasy and tensed. The sound of quiet Baroque music can disguise or neutralize the agitating vibratory sounds of the dentist’s drill. This may also be used to affect calmness in the operating room.
Music can slow down and equalize brain waves
Just like praying or meditating and other activities for mind and body relaxation, music with a pulse of about 60 beats per minute can transform consciousness from the beta waves which vibrate from 14-20 hertz to alpha with cycle from 8-13 hertz that can induce a feeling of respite and quiet.
Music affects respiration
Breathing is rhythmic. A deep, slow rate of breathing is optimal which brings calmness, better control of emotions, reflective thinking, and healthy metabolism. Gregorian chant and ambient music will produce this effect.
Music affects the heartbeat, pulse rate, and blood pressure
The human heartbeat resonates with sound frequency, tempo, and volume. Lively music can energize us while rock music can deplete our energy. Soft music creates less physical tension, relaxes and heals the body and mind. Excessive noise may raise blood pressure by as much as 10 percent. Loud noise may trigger the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, two powerful hormones that can speed up the heart and strain the blood vessels. Listening to Mozart music can calm you.
Music reduces muscle tension and improves body movement and coordination
Music may be used in rehabilitation centers to restructure repetitive movements caused by accidents or certain illnesses. In Norway, a therapy called “vibroacoustic” where children with physical and mental disabilities were immersed in “musical bath” using ambient, classical, and popular music helped decrease muscle tension.
Music affects body temperature
All sounds affect our body temperature and hence, our ability to adjust to heat and cold. Listening to transcendent music can make us feel warm while loud music can raise our body heat. On the other hand, soft music can lower it. Music does this by influencing blood circulation, pulse rate, breathing, and sweating. Percussion and bass music will keep you warm while detached, abstract music can cool you off.
Music can increase endorphin levels
Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. Listening to good music can make one feel euphoric and the healing chemicals released by the feeling of joy and emotional well-being in music enable the body to create its own anesthetic and enhance the immune function.
Music and sound can boost the immune function
Certain types of music, singing, chanting, and vocalization can oxygenate body cells. This helps induce blood and platelet production, lymphocyte stimulation and cellular protection against diseases. Mild jazz, classical, and impressionist music can produce this effect.
Music can change our perception of space
Music is sonic wallpaper. It can make our environment feel lighter and more spacious and make our space feel more orderly, active, and efficient. In hospitals, music can reduce feelings of anxiety and confinement. Mozart and Halpern’s music can improve the brain’s ability to perceive the physical world.
Music changes our perception of time
Brisk, repetitive, or marching music can fasten our pace. Music of Baroque nature provokes more ordered behavior. Highly romantic music helps soften a stressful ambience. In clinical setting where even a short time of confinement seems endless, lively music can make time seem to pass more quickly that can relieve boredom.
Music can strengthen memory and learning
Mozart and Vivaldi music can heighten one’s concentration when studying for long periods. Listening to Baroque music can enhance one’s ability to memorize spellings, poetry, and foreign words. Music can boost productivity.
Music enhances romance and sexuality
Music can inspire passion or extinguish it. Sweet, mellow music can help create the intimate mood where feelings of love and romance can be experienced.
Music stimulates digestion
Rock music causes people to eat more and faster while slow string classical music makes them eat slowly and consume less.
Music fosters endurance
The use of strong beats – about 90 per minute – gives strength, especially if combined with physical exercise such as walking, cycling, or dancing.
Music enhances unconscious receptivity to symbolism
The movie soundtrack is essential in creating and maintaining the excitement of a film better than what’s being shown on the screen, invoking archetypal symbols and appealing to the audience’s unconscious. In the same way, relaxing music can help tap into the unconscious and release traumas that have long been trapped within a person’s body.
Music can generate a sense of safety and well-being
Music must provide a haven for the listener. The contemporary music must not only express the people’s concerns but also create a sonic sanctuary where they can understand themselves and the world better as they listen to varying music of the times.
Music is not only ancient, it is eternal. It has played a great part in the drama of life, whose end and purpose is the complete perfection of man’s nature. Through music, human nature has been uplifted and refined. Its myriad of voices and instruments is known even to the deaf if they but listen to the voices of their own souls. Music is the food of love that has taught men gentleness and peace and led them onward to heroic deeds. Music harmonizes the discord of life.
Chinese Music Therapy
In China, traditional music therapy is adopting itself to modern diseases and disorders. Albums entitled Obesity, Constipation, Insomnia, Relaxation, Stress, and Liver Heart make use of traditional Chinese instruments and are selling briskly in the market. A growing number of medical doctors are now integrating music in treating their patients to the great benefit of the latter because music offers a non-invasive treatment, which may even be more effective than drugs. Kung Tai, a young man who practices music therapy, combines rhythm and qi gong exercise movements and lyric writing. Meanwhile, in Japan, there are several compilations of classical and romantic music with prescriptive suggestions. For insomnia, you can try Debussy’s “Ondine”, or Bach’s “Goldberg”; for headaches and migraines, Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song” is perfect. There is a piece for every malady.
Indian Healing Music
Across the Himalayas, India has a long tradition of merging music and medicine. This tradition is as old as the Vedas and the Upanishads, the sacred literature of India extending back thousands of years. In Native American, sacred music songs are believed to be a gift of the gods. Through the ages, distinctive genres and schools have evolved, among them the ragas of the Alvars in the Tamil language of South India. A raga is a traditional composition of religious music with improvised tonal progressions, rhythmic patterns, and melodic formulas. Unlike most western music in which the notes are distinct, the tones in ragas and most other Indian music tend to blend together, creating a soothing, unifying sound. Traditional music is used in hospitals, universities, and healing centers throughout India. In Madras, the Raga Research Center has assembled an interdisciplinary team of doctors, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and musicians who experiment with different ragas for use in music therapy. They have found two particular ragas effective in treating hypertension and mental illness.
An Argentinean Muse
South Americans are particularly adaptable and in touch with their creative nature. Because of their intense struggle to survive, the families are closely knit and participate more frequently in musical and artistic activities than families in wealthier, northern regions. Music has helped people here cope with hunger, homelessness, and other features of modern urban life.
The Power of African-American Music
Traditional African music was dominated by the ring, a circle around which people moved and sang, danced and shouted joyfully to the accompaniment of rhythmic drumming. For Africans, song and dance was religious affirmation; they were urgently compelled to perform music and dance as a means of keeping in contact with their ancestors in order to retain the power of self-definition or perish. For African-Americans, the spiritual was the musical vehicle within the ring for this affirmation and unity, for these songs were masterful repositories of African cultural spirit and through the shout and its developments; they proved central to the maintenance and perpetuation of African cultural values. In Africa, drumming is a high form of art. Black folk songs, love songs, children’s songs, hymns, and other music were spread by “music doctors”, escaped slaves who fled north with only a fiddle on their backs and who served as the bards, journalists, historians, humorists, and chroniclers or the early African experience in America. Although the circle dance eventually gave way to couple and solo dance, elements of traditional musical forms, and their healing rhythms remained.
The Music Lover in Every Filipino
Filipinos are among the world’s greatest music lovers and genius. From the indigenous people to the present generation, music has been an integral part of life. For this naturally romantic race, “The world will be a lonely place without music”. The aboriginal people use music and chants when they hold rituals to communicate with their gods. In the urban areas, music is used for church worship, entertainment, and relaxation. In the celebration of important occasions in the life of every Filipino, music can be heard. It is through music that Filipinos are able to express their fears, joys, and aspirations in life.
How Does Music Affect Us?
Music masks unpleasant sounds and feelings
A visit to the dentist may cause you to feel uneasy and tensed. The sound of quiet Baroque music can disguise or neutralize the agitating vibratory sounds of the dentist’s drill. This may also be used to affect calmness in the operating room.
Music can slow down and equalize brain waves
Just like praying or meditating and other activities for mind and body relaxation, music with a pulse of about 60 beats per minute can transform consciousness from the beta waves which vibrate from 14-20 hertz to alpha with cycle from 8-13 hertz that can induce a feeling of respite and quiet.
Music affects respiration
Breathing is rhythmic. A deep, slow rate of breathing is optimal which brings calmness, better control of emotions, reflective thinking, and healthy metabolism. Gregorian chant and ambient music will produce this effect.
Music affects the heartbeat, pulse rate, and blood pressure
The human heartbeat resonates with sound frequency, tempo, and volume. Lively music can energize us while rock music can deplete our energy. Soft music creates less physical tension, relaxes and heals the body and mind. Excessive noise may raise blood pressure by as much as 10 percent. Loud noise may trigger the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, two powerful hormones that can speed up the heart and strain the blood vessels. Listening to Mozart music can calm you.
Music reduces muscle tension and improves body movement and coordination
Music may be used in rehabilitation centers to restructure repetitive movements caused by accidents or certain illnesses. In Norway, a therapy called “vibroacoustic” where children with physical and mental disabilities were immersed in “musical bath” using ambient, classical, and popular music helped decrease muscle tension.
Music affects body temperature
All sounds affect our body temperature and hence, our ability to adjust to heat and cold. Listening to transcendent music can make us feel warm while loud music can raise our body heat. On the other hand, soft music can lower it. Music does this by influencing blood circulation, pulse rate, breathing, and sweating. Percussion and bass music will keep you warm while detached, abstract music can cool you off.
Music can increase endorphin levels
Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. Listening to good music can make one feel euphoric and the healing chemicals released by the feeling of joy and emotional well-being in music enable the body to create its own anesthetic and enhance the immune function.
Music and sound can boost the immune function
Certain types of music, singing, chanting, and vocalization can oxygenate body cells. This helps induce blood and platelet production, lymphocyte stimulation and cellular protection against diseases. Mild jazz, classical, and impressionist music can produce this effect.
Music can change our perception of space
Music is sonic wallpaper. It can make our environment feel lighter and more spacious and make our space feel more orderly, active, and efficient. In hospitals, music can reduce feelings of anxiety and confinement. Mozart and Halpern’s music can improve the brain’s ability to perceive the physical world.
Music changes our perception of time
Brisk, repetitive, or marching music can fasten our pace. Music of Baroque nature provokes more ordered behavior. Highly romantic music helps soften a stressful ambience. In clinical setting where even a short time of confinement seems endless, lively music can make time seem to pass more quickly that can relieve boredom.
Music can strengthen memory and learning
Mozart and Vivaldi music can heighten one’s concentration when studying for long periods. Listening to Baroque music can enhance one’s ability to memorize spellings, poetry, and foreign words. Music can boost productivity.
Music enhances romance and sexuality
Music can inspire passion or extinguish it. Sweet, mellow music can help create the intimate mood where feelings of love and romance can be experienced.
Music stimulates digestion
Rock music causes people to eat more and faster while slow string classical music makes them eat slowly and consume less.
Music fosters endurance
The use of strong beats – about 90 per minute – gives strength, especially if combined with physical exercise such as walking, cycling, or dancing.
Music enhances unconscious receptivity to symbolism
The movie soundtrack is essential in creating and maintaining the excitement of a film better than what’s being shown on the screen, invoking archetypal symbols and appealing to the audience’s unconscious. In the same way, relaxing music can help tap into the unconscious and release traumas that have long been trapped within a person’s body.
Music can generate a sense of safety and well-being
Music must provide a haven for the listener. The contemporary music must not only express the people’s concerns but also create a sonic sanctuary where they can understand themselves and the world better as they listen to varying music of the times.
Music is not only ancient, it is eternal. It has played a great part in the drama of life, whose end and purpose is the complete perfection of man’s nature. Through music, human nature has been uplifted and refined. Its myriad of voices and instruments is known even to the deaf if they but listen to the voices of their own souls. Music is the food of love that has taught men gentleness and peace and led them onward to heroic deeds. Music harmonizes the discord of life.
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